Saturday, October 30, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

I got it! I did it! Perfect cuts and easy-peasy tamed the pumpkin.

The first cut, shown in the header photo, was with a long, sharp boning knife. Plunging it repeatedly created a circle around the stem, leaving a cutting track. A sharp chef’s knife followed the track and the top came away easily.

Next, to split the globe, out came the brand new, very sharp serrated-blade folding saw.

The saw-teeth bit into that exposed cut and traveled easily down the pumpkin’s sides. Now, there were two pieces.

The saw blade turned finishing-up into short work. The pieces were ready for goats, chickens, and equines.

With thanks to friends who offered suggestions, and also thanks to YouTube for ideas. Pumpkins needn’t win!

Dear Friends: It’s my very early to-work day, but first wanting to share how things worked out. Diana

Friday, October 29, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

I decided to “cut” a whole pumpkin by hammering it open. Using both hands and weilding a four-pound hammer, I slammed iron against globe repeatedly, to little avail. The job made me weary, sweaty, and very frustrated. Finally, I knocked a piece off the top (stem side) and let that be a win. I set the weird bowl out for the chickens and goats.

Hours later, I found they’d consumed every seed and fiber, even had eaten down the sides. What remained appeared an almost-perfect bowl for soup or salad. I used a box-cutter to score the bowl’s sides, before plunging the cutter again and more deeply. That bowl easily snapped into pieces perfect for the horses and donkey.

Today, waiting for the animals is another whole pumpkin. For this round of cutting and on the advice of friends, I’m better armed. My brand-new folding saw is fine-toothed, serrated, and frankly, almost vicious-looking.

A reader, whom I know is in-the-know, advises that grocery stores carry pumpkin-cutting kits, says they contain a serrated tool that eases the cutting. If my new folding saw doesn’t help, I’ll search for a kit.

I pause to ask myself, why such a fuss over pumpkin cutting?

There are good reasons. Raw pumpkin is a treat welcomed by farm animals. Whole pumpkins easily available are inexpensive. What’s good for people is the prettiness, and what’s good for animals are those fiber-and-seed fillings.

Perhaps my obsession toward “winning the cutting” stems less from logic than to satisfy OCD tendencies. Sigh, “Tis the sport [to be hoisted] with [my] own petard”.

Dear Friends: Anyway, it’s all fun, and way tops obsessing about politics and the economy. Diana

Thursday, October 28, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

I’m still obsessing about pumpkin-cutting, one of the toughest knife chores. Not from wanting to create a jack-o-lantern but from wishing to feed pumpkin to my resident goats, chickens, and horses.

Recently, I learned that those animals love to eat pumpkins. The person telling me said her family drives into their pasture with a cargo of smashed pumpkins. They drop all onto the ground, and their goats and cattle devour everything.

Encouraged, I brought home a small pumpkin and attempted to cut into it. In a nanosecond, I understood that cutting into a pumpkin can result in finger losses. I began handling the cutting very carefully and diligently. The hard work demanded time, patience, and intent attention to finger-safety. Finally, I did haul out pieces out for my animals, and they devoured every bit of flesh, seeds, and skin.

My neighbor and friend, Susie, with whom already I’m “into globes” (we chase and photograph the monthly fullest-moons), has some decorative pumpkins that, after Halloween, she’ll contribute to my animals. We discuss ways to prepare raw pumpkin treats, from cutting the globes with a chain saw, to climbing onto the barn roof and hurling, to smash them onto the ground.

Her latest idea is a folding handsaw. She has one that I may borrow.

Meanwhile, I’m checking pumpkin-cutting methods on YouTube University. The cutting demos are performed by hand, and include warnings about finger safety and cautions to use very sharp knives.

Dear Friends: This will be pursued, for a cutting method accomplished more-easily. Diana

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

When a customer at Wilco told me how much his goats love pumpkin, I knew mine would be getting a go at it. So would my chickens and horses.

I didn’t realize how much work it would be to cut a pumpkin in half, that was a job. Pumpin offerings to the goats didn’t receive much interest. The chickens, however, pounced on pumpkin pieces.

In the photo, note my poor rooster’s missing tail feathers. He grew up with long, beautiful feathers that flowed as he moved. The girls love those feathers, they follow plucking at them. That sweet guy although nearly naked doesn’t discipline his pluckers.

Some days I work, until the store closes and it’s dark outside. Arriving home, I care for barn-related animals. By then the chickens are roosting. They don’t overly object as I spray purple disinfectant on rooster’s exposed skin. Purple, because chickens instinctively go for red, which suggests potentially easy prey.

I wish for rooster’s survival through winter with the flock, and hope the purple will divert his girls. The chicks roost with all snuggling together, probably enough to warm rooster. If his situation become more worrisome, I’ll rig a warming light.

The horses gobbled pumpkin pieces, including the tough outer skins. Pimmy hesitated briefly before doing the same.

Goats are interesting critters. Mine had to learn through practice that eating grass is worthwhile. Now, they’ll learn similarly that eating pumpkin is a good thing. I’ve two more orange globes awaiting my knife. I’ve always ignored whole pumpkins, but there’s new learning under my belt. It might make for less effort in doing the cutting.

Dear Friends: A city girl accustomed to using canned pumpkin is being re-educated. Diana

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

My Pimmy might be a loser in the current “cutest pet” contest, which the local newspaper is promoting (and BTW, using Pimmy’s photo, without my express permission, in its booster ads). I’ve objected to this contest because it promotes the buying of votes. I’d be thrilled if my donkey were a “top cutest”, but won’t justify promoting a pet by having to enter what’s essentially a “spending contest”, where top-dollar determines a winner.

That cutest-contest anyway fades in importance, because this year the Bend Christmas Parade will be held in early December. Last year’s Christmas Parade was cancelled because of Covid-19. Also cancelled was the city’s July 4th Pet Parade. This area’s many pet-lovers mourned losing these key fun events.

Both parades gain lots of entrants, the marchers go for a couple of miles, winding through downtown streets lined with appreciative watching crowds. This pet city’s marchers include pigs, ducks, snakes, llamas, horses, and just about every other critter-type. Oddly, Pimmy usually is the lone donkey, and we take advantage by moving around and walking alongside various sorts of animals.

When last Pimmy marched in the Christmas Parade, she wore her Christmas costume. The crowd loved her. Afterwards, parents with cameras lined-up for pictures of their little kids on Pimmy’s back.

In this year’s Parade, Pimmy will march again, and if enough pieces are findable, in her costume. Or maybe another costume. My part-time work in a ranch supply store might lend new ideas from merchandise and customers.

Dear Friends: Through many years, my donkey has been a fun pet, flexible, adaptable, and sweet. Diana

Monday, October 25, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

A lady maybe in her mid-fifties came to my register, set down a cartridge of caulk and a caulking gun. She pointed at them, and almost whispered, “Do you know how to use these?”

I nodded while searching for UPC codes.

“Could you show me how?”

I looked at the items, suddenly they seemed foreign. Years ago, I’d done a little caulking. As the back of my brain tried to re-piece steps and processes, I latched onto what seemed easiest.

I lifted the cartridge and pointed at its nozzle, “You’ll want to cut this, and at a spot that will let caulk flow in a correct amount.” She nodded at my fingers on the nozzle and waited.

Oh gosh, she really wants to tackle something brand new to her. I continued with the easy part, “Cutting too near the tip will give you a tiny bead. Cutting close to the tube’s mouth will create a large flow.” She seemed riveted.

Feeling challenged, I lifted the gun while searching for the logic of its configuration. Seeing an open chamber and sliding in the cartridge, I felt memory returning. “By operating this lever, you will cause the mechanism to create pressure at the cartridge’s large end. That’ll push caulk through the cartridge’s chamber and out of the end.”

Now, I remembered, could recall how to plunge and bead. I cleared the chamber and explained how to re-install the cartridge, and how to operate the gun’s lever. The demonstration had become smooth, an easily-simulated process.

“Do you feel more comfortable now about using these?”

She smiled for the first time, “Yes, and thank you very much!”

I asked if she had a computer, she nodded. “If you’re confused, search YouTube for videos explaining how to use a caulking gun. You’ll find lots of burly guys and some ladies walking through the steps.”

I finished checking her out and added, “If you want more hands-on explaining, come back here. Anyone working at the registers or in the aisles will help you. We ‘heart’ do-it-yourselfers!”

For me, being refreshed on using those bits felt good. What was better, I recalled having a sliding door that needs re-sealing with a bead of caulk. Uh oh, where last did I see my caulking gun?

Dear Friends: Works two ways. On a customer’s recommendation, I purchased the same heavy long socks. Diana

Sunday, October 24, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

Finally, we’re seeing Hunter’s Moon, in its waning phase and still glorious. It guided me home through last evening’s drizzle and lighted the barn as I led horses to their feeding stalls.

This morning, it’s still drizzling. I’ll be at work all day. I’m wrestling with the pluses and minuses of leaving my mini-Aussie, Louie, inside the house. He’s old, and in chilly weather limps from arthritis, needs warmth and shelter. Well, we’ll go for it, and see what happens regarding his physical condition and my house’s inside condition.

During lunch when I dash home to toss hay to horses, I’ll let Louie outside briefly. Might wind up slopping-over on the time clock, but hey, my dog’s talking to me!

Every complicated situation has its “bottom line”. Summed-up, that means, “one does what one must”.

Experience often shows matters that worry-greatly as working out okay. Those that invite too little attention may surprise and disappoint.

About Louie’s needs, today will be informative.

Dear Friends: New directions call for different steps, more creativity. They’re learning opportunities. Diana

Saturday, October 23, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

Yesterday, I worked the closing shift, didn’t leave the store until around 8:30, after helping to count money and whatever else needed doing. Soon afterwards, was feeding horses, quickly followed by caring for other animals. Around 10 p.m., my Border Collie Miles accompanied me to the barn, to release the horses from feeding stalls.

After a very long day, wine to relax.

I thought of Stephen Soundheim’s song (from “Follies”), “I’m still here”.

“I’ve run the gamut, A to Z
Three cheers and dammit, C’est la vie
I got through all of last year, and I’m here
Lord knows, at least I was there, and I’m here
Look who’s here, I’m still here”

And again today, on the closing shift. I’ll get through this!

Actually, I like my job…and lots. Very surprising, because I didn’t expect to, but the store has managers working as a good team, communicating and interacting well with employees. Plus, it’s fun at the register, talking with people buying for their pets, or collecting hardware for their work.

Customers teach things. Like, who knew goats love pumpkin? I will buy a pumpkin and split it open for my goats and chickens. Who knew that the store’s heavy paper bags are wonderful kindling? Plus, another great kindling tip: save dryer lint, and stuff it into empty toilet paper or paper towel cardboard rolls, easy to store and wonderful kindling.

Yep, I’m finding out all sorts of things.

My best learning is that I’m still here!

Dear Friends: One day, I will write about the fun of being with young co-workers, they’re uppers! Diana

Friday, October 22, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

Last evening at home, I searched skyward for now-waning Hunter’s Moon. The evening was cloudy, overnight rainy, and without a sign of that moon.

This time of year it’s Central Oregon’s rainy season. According to weather records over the past thirty years, Octobers are rainy about half their days. This year, not much rain until now with a little falling. I love rain, but unhappily miss seeing this month’s full moon.

At work in my cashier job, I’m checking out purchases of thick wool socks like there’s no tomorrow. Not only for farmers and ranchers, but also for the area’s skiers and other outdoorsy types. Flying, too, from shelves are super-warm hoodies, thick jackets, and heavy denim pants. One customer, unloading a bunch of winter wear on the counter, said it’s essential to obtain now all her family needs in the future, for stores soon will be have short supplies of appropriate winter wear.

The world’s iffy supply chains have me, too, starting to gather warm-wear. Soon our first local deep freeze will arrive and call for wool and wool-like clothing. I’ll daily schlep my horses down the street to a neighbor’s pasture, and later home again. This year, I’ll take those walks in woolen long johns.

As another sign of changing times, the news report on lab-grown coffees, and before long available in stores. Lab coffee producers use cultures from coffee beans to imitate coffee brews. AI coffees won’t be cheaper than the real stuff, but will reduce massive environmental stresses caused by producing real beans.

Lab foods producing is a two-sided coin. On one side, it will help correct environmental woes. On the other, it will displace thousands of workers now tending to live animals, or growing and harvesting coffee beans.

My intended “wool” long johns will be imitations. Producing real wool is labor-intensive, making real stuff less than affordable. Instead, I’ll wear fabrics reportedly wool-like in performance. I’m prepared though to get real wool, if that’s necessary for adequate warmth. Cold climates create demanding high needs.

Dear Friends: Our new world with rapidly-growing AI technology, creates products, pushes us to adapt. Diana

Thursday, October 21, 2021 (November’s full moon [“Beaver”] will rise on the 19th.)

We moon-chasers headed toward east of town in weather drizzly and heavily overcast. We felt optimistic, wanted to find an unobstructed horizon and watch it, to witness the rise of October’s full Hunter’s Moon. No dice, because the drizzling didn’t let up, and dense cloudiness obscured distant views.

The cattle! Nothing obscured a herd of steers, in a pasture adjoining where we had parked. Those gentle and timid creatures watched us with curiosity. We couldn’t resist approaching them.

The atmosphere was very cloudy, but the horizon was defined enough to provide a sighting direction. Susie’s calculations revealed where Hunter’s Moon would rise. Maybe not with highly bright visibility, but maybe there’d be a faint sighting.

Meanwhile, we amused ourselves by looking closely at our surroundings. We’ve parked before in this farmer’s little field and tend to refer to it as his “junk place”. This time around, now looking closely at discards, we began to wonder about their stories. We created theories.

Pictures themselves tell stories, little need for words!

Here a couple of, once-upon-a-time, “hot” VWs.

Oh my, huge wheels! Taller than a straight-standing human. What on earth might they have supported?

Susie and I are accustomed to rolling with the punches. The evening’s rain-gloom made us shift attention from the moon. We took advantage of available photo ops and captured images.

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Susie’s artistic streak reveals again that even the most mundane sightings can be very beautiful.

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And. here are this month’s full-moon chasers–out again and following our hearts!

Dear Friends: Our goal is collecting a year’s worth of moon-rise images, and creating a memory book. Diana